Manager Jody Brown ‘so proud’ of his players after Heybridge Swifts give hosts Exeter a Cup scare

Heybridge Swifts' Sam Bantick celebrates scoring his 15th goal of the season to reduce Exeter's lead to 2-1 on 70 minutes. Picture: MRK KERTON/PA (Image: PA Wire)

Heybridge Swifts manager, Jody Brown, was “proud” of the way his side pushed hosts Exeter City to the limit in today’s tight FA Cup first round at St James Park.

However, Brown was also frustrated with the way his side conceded the three goals – from two set-plays and a goalkeeping error – on an otherwise unfortgettable day for the Swifts.

Backed by nearly 300 away supporters, who had made the long journey down to Devon to witness the Bostik North’s fourth appearance in the first round proper of the Cup, the Swifts held their League Two hosts for an hour before pegging them back to 2-1 on 70 minutes.

A brace from Jayden Stockley, on 59 and 63 minutes, had given the Grecians some breathing space until Sam Bantick netted the goal of the game.

Exeters Jayden Stockley (11) fires home his side's second goal past Heybridge keeper Danny Sambridge. Picture: PA (Image: PA Wire)

The influential Lewis Godbold, who had only been on the pitch as a substitute for six minutes, helped on a cross by Juan Luque to provide the assist for Bantick to direct a shot high into the net.

Heybridge then had dreams of fashioning an equaliser and so forcing a replay at Scraley Road. Ryan Henshaw and skipper Lewis Dark both went close with late headers, before Liam McAlinden bagged a third for the Grecians in the 86th minute, to end the Essex club’s brave challenge.

“We gave them a very good game, and I am extremely proud of my players,” said Brown.

“We kept a clean-sheet for nearly an hour. In fact, they didn’t even have a shot on target during the time. But on the other side, I’m also disappointed with the nature of the goals we conceded, from two set-plays and a goalkeeping error, which is so unlike us.

Lewis Godbold heads across the Exeter box for Heybridge Swifts' Sam Bantick to score for the visitors. Picture: PA (Image: PA Wire)

“Once non-league clubs go a couple of goals down, things tend to get out-of-hand, but we showed the character to get back into the game and we really put Exeter under pressure.

“You wouldn’t have thought there was 100 places between the two teams in the pyramid. There were some strong, individual performances from my team, and it was a very close game.

“It was a great day for the club, and our fans made a lot of noise, but I only wish we could have that time again, and so have the chance not make those mistakes again.

“There was no onslaught from Exeter. We matched them. It was never backs-to-the-wall, and we were never hanging on for dear life,” added Brown.

Squads

EXETER: Pym, Sweeney, Brown, Moore-Taylor, Woodman (sub Holmes, 61), Taylor, James (sub Edwards, 71), Boateng, Moxey, Reid (sub McAlinden, 75), Stockley. Unused subs: Hamon, Jay, Byrne, Collins.

HEYBRIDGE: Sambridge, Carreño, Henshaw, Cawley, Sampayo, Bantick (sub Brown, 87), Chatting, Griffiths (sub Godbold, 64), Luque, Dark, Callander (sub Gardner, 68), Unused subs: Andrews, Fagbohun, Conway, Sillgato.

Attendance: 3,004